Devices and methods for heating fluid dispensers, hoses, and nozzles

Abstract

Various exemplary devices and methods for heating fluid dispensers, hoses, and nozzles are provided. In general, the devices and methods for heating fluid dispensers, hoses, and nozzles can be configured to heat fluid dispensable by a user into a fuel tank or other type of container. In some embodiments, a fuel dispensing device can include a first passageway configured to pass fluid therethrough and can include a second passageway fluidically isolated from the first passageway and having a heating element disposed therein. The heating element can be configured to heat the fluid passing through the first passageway. The first and second passageways can extend through at least a distal portion of a hose of the fluid dispensing device and through at least a proximal portion of a nozzle of the fluid dispensing device that has a proximal end attached to a distal end of the hose.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A heating assembly for use with a fuel dispenser hose and nozzle, the heating assembly comprising:
 a conductive outer extension tube having a first end with a well formed therein, the well extending longitudinally at least partially along a longitudinal length of the conductive outer extension tube; 
 a flexible outer tube having a longitudinal passageway extending therethrough, a first end of the flexible outer tube being coupled to the first end of the conductive outer extension tube; 
 a conductive inner extension tube extending through the conductive outer extension tube, the conductive inner extension tube having a longitudinal passageway extending therethrough, and the conductive inner extension tube having a first end mated to the first end of the conductive outer extension tube; 
 a heating element extending longitudinally through the longitudinal passageway of the flexible outer tube and extending at least partially through the longitudinal passageway in the conductive inner extension tube, the heating element being configured to heat fluid surrounding the conductive outer extension tube; and 
 a nozzle configured to dispense fluid into a vehicle, the outer extension tube being secured within the nozzle, and an end of the heating element being disposed within the nozzle. 
 
     
     
       2. The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the heating element comprises a fourth tube defining the end of the heating element that is disposed within the nozzle, and the assembly further comprises a non-conductive stopper disposed within the end of the heating element. 
     
     
       3. The assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the end of the heating element is disposed within the longitudinal passageway in the conductive inner extension tube. 
     
     
       4. The assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the end of the heating element is disposed within the longitudinal passageway in the conductive outer extension tube. 
     
     
       5. The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the conductive outer extension tube has a second end configured to couple to the nozzle of a fuel dispenser. 
     
     
       6. The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible outer tube has a second end configured to couple to a fluid outlet on a fuel dispenser. 
     
     
       7. A fuel dispensing device, comprising:
 a housing having fuel dispensing components therein; 
 a hose coupled to the housing and in fluid communication with the fuel dispensing components such that fluid can be passed from the fuel dispensing components through an inner lumen of the hose; 
 a nozzle located entirely outside of the housing and attached to a distal end of the hose and configured to selectively dispense fluid therefrom into a vehicle, the nozzle being configured to receive fluid from the hose and to dispense fluid therefrom and into the vehicle; 
 a tube extending longitudinally within the hose and having an inner lumen extending therethrough, the inner lumen of the tube being isolated from the inner lumen of the hose; and 
 a heating element extending longitudinally within the inner lumen of the tube, the heating element being configured to heat fluid passing through the hose. 
 
     
     
       8. The device of  claim 7 , further comprising a conductive tube attached to a distal end of the tube, the heating element extending longitudinally through at least a portion of an inner lumen of the conductive tube. 
     
     
       9. The device of  claim 8 , further comprising a heat transfer element disposed within the inner lumen of the conductive tube in surrounding relation to the heating element. 
     
     
       10. The device of  claim 8 , wherein the conductive tube is disposed at least partially within the nozzle, and a terminal distal end of the heating element is located within the conductive tube within the nozzle. 
     
     
       11. The device of  claim 7 , wherein a terminal distal end of the heating element is located within the nozzle, and the heating element is fully contained within the hose and the nozzle. 
     
     
       12. The device of  claim 7 , wherein the heating element comprises a heat cable. 
     
     
       13. The device of  claim 7 , wherein the heating element comprises a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) heater. 
     
     
       14. The device of  claim 7 , further comprising a nozzle boot coupled to the housing, the nozzle boot being configured to removably and replaceably seat the nozzle therein. 
     
     
       15. The device of  claim 7 , wherein the fuel dispensing components in the housing include a fluid line configured to receive from an underground fluid supply the fluid that is passed from the fuel dispensing components. 
     
     
       16. The device of  claim 7 , wherein the nozzle is configured to be inserted into the vehicle and dispense the fluid therefrom into the vehicle.